Apparatus for the separation of materials



Nov. 19, 1940. G, HAGUE APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF MATERIALS FiledJune 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: Harold George Hague, BY mATTORNEYS.

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Nov. 19, 1940. H. G. HAGUE APPARATUS FOR THE SEPARATION OF MATERIALS 5She ets-Sheet 3 Filed June 9, 1938 NvNRN v INVENTOR imz'old Qevrge HagueA TTORNE YS.

' Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR THESEPARATION OF MATERIALS deceased Application June 9, 1938, Serial No.212,779 In Great Britain June 11, 1937 4 Claims I This invention relatesto apparatus of the kind in which materials of different specificgravity are separated in a chamber containing a fluid medium, throughwhich the heavier solids (here- .i] inafter referred to as .frefuse")sink to the bottom of the chamber, from where they are dischargedthrough a second chamber provided with an intake valve and a dischargevalve which are operated alternately to minimize loss from the 10] firstchamber through the second chamber. The valves may be power operated,and means may be provided for effecting the application of energy toeither valve to cause opening thereof only when the other valve issubstantially closed, the 181 said means being operated by the operationof the valves. These means preferably take the form of limit switchesactuated by the valves. The cycle, commencing from the time when bothvalves are closed, consists in opening the intake 20: valve (which maybe done after water has been supplied to the refuse chamber) so that therefuse which has sunk to the bottom of the first chamber enters thesecond chamber, closing the intake valve, opening the discharge valve sothat 85 the refuse collected in the second chamber is dischargedtherefrom, and closing the discharge valve. This cycle is repeated solong as the apparatus is in operation, so that the contents of thesecond or refuse chamber are discharged at 30 regular intervals. Asystem of this character is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,894,020,granted January 10, 1933, to Thomas M. Chance. These regular intervalsare chosen so that during one such interval the refuse chamber issubstantially 85 filled with refuse, and then so long as the rate andnature of the feed does not vary, the refuse chamber will continue to befilled during each subsequent interval. If, however, the rate of feeddecreases, the refuse chamber will not be filled 40 with refuse duringeach interval, and in the extreme case when there is no feed or when theprovided for varying automatically the inter 65 vals between successivedischarges from the refuse chamber to suit variations of the feed. Inits simplest form, this means is responsive only to the presence andabsence of feed, and prevents further operation of the valves when thereis no feed. lnpractice it is found that this is suifi- 5 cient to dealwith variations of feed, since when the rate of feed is reduced itusually becomes intermittent, and the means then prevents operation ofthe valves during those intervals when there is no feed. Means of thiskind preferably comprises a fiap arranged above the conveyor feedingmaterial to the apparatus, so that any feed present will move the flapagainst the action of gravity or other bias to control the operation ofat least the discharge valve, the operation ceasing when the fiapreturns to its original position, under the action of the bias, in theabsence of feed.

In one form of apparatus such as above referred to, the time intervalbetween successive openings of the discharge valve is determined by atiming device, such as an electric motor operated device; and thepresent invention may conveniently be applied to such apparatus byarranging for the feed responsive means to stop and start the timingapparatus. If the timing device is stopped, it is preferably stopped atan instant when the discharge valve is open.

Apparatus in accordance with the present invention is particularlysuited for cleaning coal with a fluid mass of sand and water,- and theinvention will be hereinafter described with reference to suchapparatus, one construction of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically the complete layout ofthe feed arrangements for a coal-cleaning apparatus, as well as thelayout of the apparatus itself;

Fig. 2 shows aside elevation; and

Fig. 3 is a, front elevation of the top of the moving conveyor shown inFig. 1; and

Fig. 4 shows a diagram of connections of the operating mechanisms forthe refuse-gates and for the water-supply valve.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the apparatus comprises a first or separatingchamber in the form of an inverted cone l0 terminating in a column II.The lower end of this column communicates with the second or refusechamber l2 through the intake slide valve I3. Discharge slide valve I4is located at the lower end of the refuse chamber l2. The valves l3 andI4 are adapted to be actuated respectively by hydraulic cylinders orengines I5, I6 which are controlled electrically through limit switchesI1 and I8.

A connection is provided between the refuse chamber and a suitable watersupply indicated 5 at I9, this said connection including a water supplyvalve 28 which is adapted to control the supply of water to the refusechamber I2. The water supply valve 20 is actuated by an hydrauliccylinder or engine 2| controlled electrically from the control panel 22.

The electrical control circuits of the intake valve I3, the dischargevalve I4 and water supply valve 20 are coordinated or interlocked so asto insure the correct sequence of operation as follows:

Starting with both intake and discharge valves in the closed positionand the water supply valve 28 closed, the water supply valve engine 2Iis caused to open the valve 20 to admit water to the refuse chamber I2.When the chamber is filled with water a pressure switch 23 is actuatedby pressure of the water in the chamber. This pressure switch isarranged in the control circuit of the intake valve l3 and when openprevents the valve I3 from opening. When pressure switch 23 closes,valve I3 is caused to open and on opening causes water supply valve 20to close. The intake valve I3 is held open for sufficient time for therefuse chamber 12 to fill with refuse from the column ll. Then theintake valve I3 is closed whereupon the discharge valve 14 is opened todischarge the refuse on to a screen 24, where it may be washed and anysand clinging to the refuse thereby removed, to be subsequently returnedto the first chamber Ill. The discharge valve I4 is finally closed, andthe cycle of operations is completed, and may be repeated.

In this Fig. 1 are shown also a belt conveyor 25 which feeds the rawcoal on to feed chutes 26 and 40 21 delivering into the cone Ill.

The cycle of operations is predetermined, the various valves remainingopen for definite mini mum periods. Each time cycle is determined by twotimers, one determining the time between the 5 opening of the watersupply valve 28 and the closing of the intake valve I3, cycle (i), andthe other determining the interval between the opening and closing ofthe discharge valve 14, cycle (ii).

Reference is now directed to Fig. 4 of the drawings. Here the parts ofthe apparatus which are shown also in Fig. 1 are designated by the samereference numerals. The time cycles (i) and (ii) are determined bytimers 28 and 29 respectively, 55 mounted on the control panel 22.Suitable timers for the purpose are well known (being exemplified by theCR 2823-MC9 Definite Time Relay, illustrated and explained on page 978of catalogue GEA-GOOA of the General Electric Com- 5 pany, Schenectady,N. Y), so that only their external connections to the circuits of thecontrol system and such of their internal features as are necessary toan understanding of their coaction with the external circuits are herereferred to, and very diagrammatically illustrated.

The component parts of the two timers 28 and 29 are identical. but theirconnections are somewhat diiferent.

Both timers have six terminals designated by reference letters a, b, c,d, e, and f. Terminals 28a and 28b are connected to a switch 30 which isarranged to make the timing circuit of the timer 28 when closed.Terminal 28a is connected also to a fixed contact 3| of a restartingrelay 32, the 7 purpose of which appears in the sequel, and to a contact33 within the timer 28. The terminal 28b is connected to a contact 34 ona movable core part 35 of the timer 28. An actuating coil or solenoid ofthe timer 28 is indicated at 36, and a movable contact of this timer,indicated at 31, is shown connected to the terminal 28b. This movablecontact 31 is intended to engage, alternatively, with contacts 38, 39 inthe timer, which are connected to its terminals 28d, 28f, respectively.The solenoid 36 actuates the parts 35 and 31, the latter especiallythrough the usual mechanism of the timer, not shown. In the timer 29,the terminal 29a is connected only to a contact 4|, while the terminal29b is connected to a contact 42 on a movable core part 43. An actuatingsolenoid or coil of timer 29 is indicated at 44, and its movable contact45 is shown connected to the terminal 29b, being intended to engagealternatively with contacts 46, 41 connected respectively to terminals29d and 29f. In the unoperated position lever 31 is in contact with 39and lever 45 is in contact with 41.

The solenoid 36 is connected between terminals 28b and 280, and thesolenoid 44 is connected between terminals 29!) and 29c. The energizingcoil 48 of a timer motor is connected between terminal 28c and contact39; and the energizing coil 48 of a timer motor is connected betweenterminal 29c and contact 41. Terminal 28c is connected to terminal 28c.Terminal 28d is con.-

nected to terminal 2%. Terminal 28c is connected direct to terminal D ofthe panel, and to terminal B through a lamp 482: adapted to beilluminated, when the pressure switch 23 is closed, by means of circuitconnections described hereinafter. Terminals 28c and 290 are connectedalso through lead 52 to the incoming supply 49 through one of the fuses58 and circuit breaker 5| and a connection is made from lead 52 to oneside of the operating coil 53 of a relay 54 for controlling both thesolenoid 55 associated with the water supply valve engine 2|, and thesolenoid 56 associated with the intake slide valve engine 15. This sideof the coil 53 is also connected with one side of the operating coil 51of a relay 58 for controlling the solenoid 59 associated with thedischarge slide valve engine I6. The other side of coil 51 is connectedto terminal 29). The other side of the coil 53 is connected to terminal28f.

Operation of relays 54 and 58 is adapted to cause operation of the threesolenoids 55, 56, and 59 above referred to.

The restarting relay 32 comprises an operating coil 60 connected betweenone terminal of the supply 49 and the terminal 29d. The coil 60 isadapted when energized to cause operation of gearing 6| which in turnopens contact member 62 cooperating with contact 3|. Coiled spring meansare provided in conjunction with said gearing whereby uponde-energization of said coil 68 said gearing is reversed under action ofthis spring. There is then a time lag between de-energization of saidcoil and re-making of contact 31.

Lamps 63 and 64 are provided in conjunction with the circuits of thesolenoids 56 and 59, respectively, so as to indicate that the intakevalve or discharge valve, respectively, is closed.

In accordance with the invention, a switch 65 is connected to terminalsD and F of the control panel 22, and this switch is arranged to be operated by a member 66 as hereinafter described with reference to Figs. 2and 3 of the accompanying drawings, which will now be described.

Here the belt conveyor 25, which feeds the raw coal through chute 13 onto the feed chutes (not here shown), is arranged to pass over the roller61 mounted on suitable framework 66 and driven tlirough gearing 69, 19,-1| from a rotating shaft On the framework 68 is mounted a bracket 13xcarrying the switch 6.5. The operating member 66 for the switch 65 isrigid with a shaft 14 which is supported pivotally in posts 15. Keyed tothe shaft 14 are two arms 16 to which is attached a plate 11 having acurved end adapted to rest normally just clear of the belt 25 as itpasses over the roller 61. The shaft 14 also carries a counterweight 18for the plate 11. On the bracket 13:1: is carried a U-shaped member 19with adjusting screws which extend towards the upper and lower sides ofthe arm member 66. These adjusting screws are provided for limiting themovement of the arm member about the pivots of the shaft 14.

Coal on the said belt 25 engages the plate 11 and moves it out of itspath. If the layer of coal on the belt is sufliciently thick, theplate11 is moved to such an extent that the switch 65 is closed. If thethickness of coal on the belt 25 diminishes, or if the supply of coal isintermittent, the plate 11 will fall back under gravity, and the switch65 opens once more. i

In operation, coal is fed to the belt 25 and travels to the cone l0,operating the switch 65 on its way. Meanwhile the circuit breaker 5| onthe control panel in Fig. 4 has been operated to connect the panel tothe supply and the control switch is closed. The water supply valve 29,and both intake and discharge valves are all closed.

Referring now to Fig. 4, immediately switch 30 is closed, the solenoid36 of the timer. 28 is energized, being connected to the 52 side of theline through 28e and, to the 52a side of the line through 28b, 39, 28a,and 3|. The core is thereby caused to move to close contacts 33, 34which complete a retaining circuit for the timer 28. Simultaneously theclosing of switch 30 energizes timing motor 40 which is connected to the52 side of the line through 29c and 28e and to the 52a side of the linethrough 39, 31, 34, 33, 28a, and 3|, and causes energization of relaywinding 53 which is connected directly to the 52 side of the line and isconnected to the 52a side of the line through 28 39, 31, 34, 33, 28a,and 3|. Energization of relay winding 53 causes the relay 54 to close,which energizes solenoid 55 through l1 and D and through E and 54,thereby opening water.

supply valve 20. Water is then fed into the refuse chamber |2 until itis nearly filled, and then water enters the pipe leading to the pistonof the pressure switch 23. When sufficient water has been supplied tothe chamber |2, the pressure switch 23 is operated, thereby closing thecircuit for solenoid 56, which operates the valve engine l5 to open theintake slide valve l3. This circuit for solenoid 56 extends from a pointon the 52 side of the line (at the right and above the timer 29 in Fig.4) up through the lamp 482:, down through B, over through pressureswitch 23 and back through coil 56, down through limit switch l8, and upthrough lamp 64 and A (past the connection to relay 32) to the 52a sideof the line. Opening of valve l3 breaks the water supply valve circuitby the action of limit switch I1 and water supply valve 29 closes. Itwill be noted that the operating circuit through the solenoid 56includes the limit switch l8, so that the discharge valve l4 must beclosed before the solenoids 56 can be energized. I Refuse material inthe column falls into the refuse chamber |2.. After a predeterminedinterval, for which the timer motor isset, the timer motor trips arelease (not shown) for the contact arm 31, whichbreaks contact at 39,and makes at 38. Breaking at contact 39 causes de-energization of thesolenoid 56, upon which the intake valve I3 re-closes.

When the arm 31 makes contact at 38, solenoid I 44 is energized, beingconnected to the, 52 side of the line through 290, F, 66, and D and tothe 52a side through 29b, 28d, 39, 31, 34, 33, 28a, and 3|, and the core43 is operated; here, however, contacts 4|, 42 serve no useful purpose.Simultaneously the timer motor for the bottom gate timer is energized,beingconnected to the 52 side through 290, F, 66, and D and to the 52aside through 41, 45, 29b, 28d, 36, 31, 34, 33', 28a, and 3|. At the sametime, relay coil 51 is energized, bein connected directly to the 52 sideand being con-1 nected to the 52a side through 29!, 41, 45, 29b, 28d,38, 31, 34, 33, 26a, and 3|. Relay 56 operates in response to theenergization of relay coil 51 and solenoid 59 is thereby energized,being connected to the 52 side of the line through limit switch l1, andD and to the 52a side through C and relay 58. Discharge valve l4 openswhen solenoid 59 is energized. It will be noted that the operatingcircuit for the solenoid 59 includes the limit switch |1, so that valvel3 must be closed before the discharge valve 4 can be opened.

The refuse chamber empties during the time that timer 29 is operating.At the expiration of this period, the arm is tripped and breaks contactwith contact 41 and makes contact with com tact 46. The restarting relaywinding 60 is then energized, being connected directly to the 52 side ofthe line and to the 52a side ofthe line through 29d, 46, 45, 29b, 28d,38, 31, 34, 33, 28a, and 3|, whereupon the contact arm 62 breaks contactwith contact 3|, thus interrupting the supply to the timers 28 and 29,which revert to their unoperated positions. The winding 69 issimultaneously de-energized, and arm 62 remakes with contact 3| afterthe time interval determined by the gearing 6|. This time interval, ofsay 5 seconds, enables the timers 29 and 29 to reset before the cycle isrepeated. It will be seen that if switch 65 is open, or is opened, theconnection to one side of the supply through the timer 29 is broken, andthe discharge valve l4 will not close,

or will open. If, then, no coal is being fed to the cone, and the hingeplate 11 falls under gravity,

thus causing the switch 65 to open, the discharge As soon as the supplyof coal is renewed, the

hinge plate 11 is lifted again, and the apparatus resumes its normalstate for complete operation.

It will be seen that the invention as described above also takes care ofthe case where the rate of feed is reduced, but not to zero; for areduced rate of feed merely means that the feed is not continuous, sothat operation of the valve is prevented during those intervals whencoal is not fed past the flap, or when not enough is fed to keepswitchclosed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus for separating materials of different specific gravitiesin a fluid separating medium, including a separating chamber and asubwith the apparatus as hereinbefore set forth of means responsive tothe feed of material to said separating chamber for controlling theoperation of said valve means by said timing means; and thus varying theintervals between successive discharges of refuse according to the feed.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a conveyor for feedingmaterials to the separating chamber, and a flap above said conveyorresponsive to the presence of material thereon and controlling theaction of said valve means.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means controlled by saidmeans responsive to the feed of material to the separating chamber forsuspending the action of said timing means when the feed of suchmaterial is interrupted.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a motor operating thetiming means controlling the operation of the valve means, and means forstarting and stopping the timing motor in response to the feed ofmaterial to the separating chamber.

HAROLD GEORGE HAGUE.

